After taking a single bite of the dessert, Lady Platinum's delicately embroidered brows furrowed, as though she found this "commoner's food" unsatisfactory.
However, under Logan's unwavering stare, Platinum felt a chill crawl up her spine. She quickly lowered her head and, in just a few bites, finished the entire dessert. Then—completely against her true feelings—she said stiffly,
"…It's delicious."
Only then did Logan nod in satisfaction.
Seeing that the young lady hadn't made any inappropriate remarks, he finally relaxed.
"Miss Valerie, what are you currently doing in the Kalos region?" Logan asked, leaning back in his chair as he chatted leisurely. "Are you traveling as a Trainer, or doing something else?"
"I'm traveling and training," Valerie replied softly. "At the same time, I'm also interested in fashion design. When I have free time, I design clothes. Occasionally, I model for major fashion brands as well—just enough to cover my living expenses."
Valerie sat upright in her chair without leaning back. While she didn't possess Platinum's refined noble air, the grace cultivated since childhood made her resemble a peerless stage diva.
"Traveling, designing clothes, and earning money at the same time—Miss Valerie, you're truly hardworking," Logan said appreciatively.
Although Trainers had many ways to earn money, their expenses were even greater. Pokémon-related food and supplies were extremely costly—especially since Trainers usually purchased the highest-quality items for their partners. Ordinary supplies were something only non-battling household Pokémon used.
Unless a Trainer had gained fame, their life was usually just better than average—not luxurious. For someone like Valerie, who also spent extra money pursuing her personal interests, working harder to earn income was inevitable.
"That's nothing special," Valerie said shyly after being praised. "This is something every Trainer experiences before success. My dream is to become a Gym Leader one day, and then open my own fashion brand—so everyone can wear clothes I design."
She didn't mention becoming an Elite Four member or Champion, clearly lacking confidence in her combat strength.
"Creating your own brand requires not only effort, but also a large amount of capital," Logan said thoughtfully. "I may not be able to help in other ways, but if you ever need financial support, you can come to me. I'll consider it an investment in your future brand."
He spoke enthusiastically—after all, the money came easily, and he could spend it however he liked.
"If Miss Valerie needs investors, I can contribute as well."
Lady Platinum suddenly spoke up.
She didn't know why Logan wanted to invest in Valerie, but her sharp mind instantly sensed opportunity. Having received elite business education from a young age, Platinum believed that anything the Kanto Champion invested in was worth investing in herself.
As for failure?
Money-related risks weren't problems in her eyes.
"Thank you, Champion, and thank you as well, little lady," Valerie said gently, declining politely. "But I prefer to earn everything through my own hands."
Logan wasn't bothered by the refusal. He understood—it was only because they had just met. Once they grew more familiar, she'd likely accept his help. For now, caution was natural.
Logan glanced at the Sylveon sitting on the table before Valerie.
"…Miss Valerie, do you specialize in Fairy-type Pokémon?"
"Well… I wouldn't say I specialize," Valerie replied bashfully. "After Fairy-types were officially discovered, I simply found them beautiful and adorable, so I pursued some of them…"
Speaking of strength in front of the Kanto Champion made her uncomfortable. Choosing Fairy-types purely because they were pretty made her feel even more embarrassed.
"…Even how Eevee evolves into Sylveon, I only understand it vaguely."
She gently stroked Sylveon's ribbon-like feelers, and the Pokémon affectionately nuzzled against her.
"It's said that Eevee evolves into Sylveon through the bond between Trainer and Pokémon," Logan explained. "Only when that bond is extremely deep does this evolution occur."
Both Valerie and Platinum's eyes lit up.
Platinum felt she had learned something new, while Valerie felt the explanation resonated deeply with her own experience. Her eyes curved beautifully as she smiled.
"…Champion, you really know a lot."
Logan merely smiled. These were discoveries made by Professor Oak—he simply read the latest research papers regularly.
"That's because my Eevee can also evolve into Sylveon… Eevee."
Logan signaled with his eyes.
Eevee responded with a cheerful cry and immediately evolved. In the blink of an eye, two Sylveon were sitting side by side on the table.
Valerie's Sylveon, seemingly seeing another of its kind for the first time, eagerly moved closer and affectionately rubbed its head against Logan's Sylveon.
Logan discreetly gave his Sylveon a thumbs-up.
Eevee truly was the ultimate wingman. With just one cute cry, any girl's heart would soften. Yellow had fallen for that trick long ago.
Seeing that Logan's Eevee could also evolve into Sylveon, Valerie's eyes sparkled. She felt inexplicably closer to him.
"…Champion, I've watched your matches," she said happily. "Your Eevee can evolve into so many forms—it's unbelievable."
"That's not necessarily something to celebrate," Logan said quietly, his gaze deepening. "When you're different from everyone else—when you become an anomaly within your own kind—it doesn't always bring joy. More often, it brings loneliness… the pain of never truly belonging."
He sighed softly. His words carried a weight of untold stories.
For a moment, not only Valerie, but even Platinum and Yellow looked at him, sensing a quiet sadness.
Girls were always weakest against men with stories—especially those who were powerful and successful. Curiosity inevitably followed.
After a brief pause, Valerie spoke softly.
"…I'm sorry, Champion. I may have brought up something painful. I don't truly understand what you meant… and I can't fully empathize."
Her heart beat faster. She felt restless.
For reasons she couldn't explain, she wanted to smooth the crease between his brows.
Beside them, Yellow gazed at Logan with pure admiration, while Platinum watched him with growing curiosity.
Sensing the mood had gone far enough, Logan quickly smiled again. He wasn't a sentimental man—he had merely recalled the suffering Eevee endured during those cruel experiments.
At that moment, the dessert shop's door opened.
A tall, handsome blond man entered, scanned the room, and upon spotting Valerie, walked over.
"…So you're here, Valerie. I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Oh, it's Siebold," Valerie replied with a smile.
Logan raised an eyebrow.
Was this the wrong person to flirt with?
Did she already have a boyfriend?
Then again—someone as fairy-like and beautiful as her naturally attracted admirers.
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